Anchorage, Alaska - A cruise ship carrying hundreds of college students has lost power in two of its four engines. The M/V Explorer is used by the popular college program called Semester at Sea. Now heavy seas are causing trouble for that ship.

The Explorer -- carrying 990 students, professors and crewmembers -- is now about 900 miles south of Adak Island, searching for a break in the weather after encountering big seas that crippled all four engines.

A 50-foot wave is reported to have knocked out windows on the ship's bridge. Two crewmembers sustained minor injuries in that incident. For a time, the ship was running on just one engine until a second one could be restarted. Now the crew of the 600-foot long Explorer is struggling to keep the ship facing the weather as they wait for help.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Jarvis has been sent from Unalaska. So have three C-130 cargo rescue planes. Four merchant ships in the general area have started for the Explorer, as well. However, between the Midway Islands and Hawaii, the ship is literally in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The C-130s are expected to arrive on scene shortly but it could still be some time before any ships get on station to lend a hand.

“Four-engine ship operating with one engine, it is a concern, because you want to make sure you can keep headway on the vessel,” said Sr. Chief Bruce Pimental, a Coast Guard spokesman in Alameda, Calif., reached soon after the ship issued its distress call. “So, not knowing the extent of the engine problems, we’re moving any asset we can to them as quickly as possible.”

U.S. Coast Guard officials stress that, although the Explorer is in heavy seas, there have been no major injuries and the ship is not in immediate danger.

The Explorer left Vancouver earlier this month, headed for Japan.

The Semester at Sea program lets college students study aboard ship while the ship plies the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic. The vessel serves as a floating campus for the 681 students on board.

The Coast Guard said it needs to get to the vessel before it can determine the best course of action. With two working engines now, the ship is reported to be heading toward the Midway Islands to try to repair its other two power plants.

Anchorage, Alaska - A cruise ship carrying hundreds of college students has lost power in two of its four engines. The M/V Explorer is used by the popular college program called Semester at Sea. Now heavy seas are causing trouble for that ship.

The Explorer -- carrying 990 students, professors and crewmembers -- is now about 900 miles south of Adak Island, searching for a break in the weather after encountering big seas that crippled all four engines.

A 50-foot wave is reported to have knocked out windows on the ship's bridge. Two crewmembers sustained minor injuries in that incident. For a time, the ship was running on just one engine until a second one could be restarted. Now the crew of the 600-foot long Explorer is struggling to keep the ship facing the weather as they wait for help.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Jarvis has been sent from Unalaska. So have three C-130 cargo rescue planes. Four merchant ships in the general area have started for the Explorer, as well. However, between the Midway Islands and Hawaii, the ship is literally in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The C-130s are expected to arrive on scene shortly but it could still be some time before any ships get on station to lend a hand.

“Four-engine ship operating with one engine, it is a concern, because you want to make sure you can keep headway on the vessel,” said Sr. Chief Bruce Pimental, a Coast Guard spokesman in Alameda, Calif., reached soon after the ship issued its distress call. “So, not knowing the extent of the engine problems, we’re moving any asset we can to them as quickly as possible.”

U.S. Coast Guard officials stress that, although the Explorer is in heavy seas, there have been no major injuries and the ship is not in immediate danger.

The Explorer left Vancouver earlier this month, headed for Japan.

The Semester at Sea program lets college students study aboard ship while the ship plies the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic. The vessel serves as a floating campus for the 681 students on board.

The Coast Guard said it needs to get to the vessel before it can determine the best course of action. With two working engines now, the ship is reported to be heading toward the Midway Islands to try to repair its other two power plants.

this is one of the reasons why I was skeptical about whether this ship would be a good replacement for "Universe Explorer". "Explorer" was not built for ocean crossings but as a "Mediterranean speed boat".

I'm sure her predecessor would have mastered this situation in a much better way. But instead, "Universe Explorer" is now sitting on the beach at Alang.

Raoul,
I, too, wish to thank you for that link. It sounds like all is well with the students and they may even end up with a better seminar at sea experience than the original schedule. Somehow, being stuck in Hawaii for awhile doesn't sound like it would be much of a disappointment.
Nancy

Hey... the northern Pacific is famous for big seas as is the Columbia river mouth and Juan de Fuca..gateway to Puget sound
it is common for 25+ ft seas in those areas.
Also the Str. Of Magellan off South America is the single nastiest stretch of ocean in the world Waves of the order of 100+ ft have been recorded and smashed maga freighters ( 800 footers) to floatsam.
Its a know before you go thing. The sea is in a constant state of change. I have been on ships thet were in excess of 400 to 500 feet which were rolling 65 degrees side to side while pitching 25 degrees up and down. This is when the aft cabins of the lowest deck are the most luxurious.
I chuckel when passengers complain of a rough ocean in the carribean.
And speaking of speed some of the newer military vessels of 90,000 ton size can do better than 50 knots++...now thats fun